18th December 2019

Is this the next service to Paddington!
Roger Salter

On a terrible weather day in the station ,with seas crashing over the line at Eastern Green & cross country delays at Dawlish I found this unit stabled at the sidings possibly off to London Paddington !!!!!!!!

Thanks Roger

Extra services to St Germans & Saltash
Roger Winnen

The new timetable which came into force on Sunday 15th December 2019 shows 48 trains calling at St Germans and Saltash on a weekday, an increase of 14 for St Germans, a much enhanced service.

191216a A brief spell of sunshine at St Germans. Copyright Roger Winnen

191216b 43186 Taunton Castle departs St Germans on the delayed 11.15 service from Penzance, with the front power car shut down. Copyright Roger Winnen

191216c Information for the Area Public Transport Group displayed at St Germans Railway Station. Copyright Roger Winnen

191216dThe new timetable for St Germans has the most comprehensive service on record. Copyright Roger Winnen

191216e The Milltown Coach at St Germans which was recovered at Milltown Nr Germoe in West Cornwall. Photograph by kind permission of Mr John Stroud Rail Holidays at St Germans. Copyright Roger Winnen

Further photographs of St Germans will feature on this website in due course.

Just one week to go

This is a copy of a delightful card sent to me (KJ) by Craig Munday which I forward to you all with his and our best wishes;

Many thanks Craig and our best wishes to you and your family.

Sherborne
Brian Pibworth

"No 6233, "Duchess of Sutherland", London Midland and Scottish Railway Princess Coronation Class pacific loco sets off from Sherborne(Dorset) with the down Cathedrals Express, the 1Z92 1045 London Victoria to Yeovil Jn Down Main Sdg. The train stopped at Sherborne to allow passengers to alight for a carol service in the Abbey, before continuing ecs to Yeovil Steam Centre for servicing and loco turning." Copyright Brian Pibworth.

A seasonal contribution from our line, where we were blessed with just sufficient light to make the steam sparkle.  The pic is from a road bridge immediately West of the town and we had the full benefit of drain cocks and  sanders at work - an effect which sadly blighted the shots of many photographers back at the station.
Best wishes for Christmas,
Brian

Many thanks Brian - a powerful shot.

Christmas Cheer  - the B & W
Chris Harvey

5552 is captured on 14th December 2003, about to charge through Charlie's Gate with the 1340 Bodmin Parkway - Bodmin General Santa Special. Copyright Chris Harvey

Many thanks for your best wishes Chris- another powerful picture. All the very best to you.

Newbridge Cross
Ron Kosys

47484 Newbridge Cross, Cowley 14th September 1988 TavyJn-Meldon

One I squeezed in this week is this shot of green 47484 taken on 14th September 1988. I was waiting at Newbridge Cross, between Cowley Junction and Crediton, for the loaded morning ballast off Meldon Quarry, when a clattering behind me alerted me to something heading in the opposite direction. An extra train off Tavistock Junction for Meldon was running well early when it passed me heading initially for Crediton where it would no doubt cross with the loaded train. With this being the case it left me with plenty of time to change location and head for Newton St Cyres. Things were oh so interesting around that period....
 
         Cheers,   Ron.   Many thanks - a real country scene.

Lostwithiel & Par
​Martin Baker

Thought i would send in a couple of HST pics in Cornwall from many years back.as 8/9 coach workings are all but finished.

An unidentified GNER at Lostwithiel on a Newquay service to the NE, your readers may be able to date it via the building work on Brunel Quays?

Also  43165 on a Paddington  Penzance at Par

Hope they are of interest , Kind Regards,   Martin Baker. Thanks Martin

GNER HST at Lostwithie, Martin asks can we date this picture? l Copyright Martin Baker.

A GWR HST rolls in to Par under the bridge with a Paddington to Penzance working. Copyright Martin Baker.

What would we do without the semaphores - they add a lot of quality and colours to the images above.

Last Days of the Slammers
Andrew Triggs

​Evening Roger/Keith                             Received 16th Dec 2019
With the GWR 2+4 slam door HST's due to finish very soon and a break in the seemingly continuous rain, I popped over to Marazion to capture 43172 'Harry Patch' working 2U20 10.50 Penzance-Cardiff Central with 43191. Also the late running 2C06 08.47 Plymouth-Penzance GTi was waiting the road on the Marsh, which added to the scene. 4 shots for CRS
All the Best
Andrew

1. 43172 'Harry Patch' leading 2U20 past Marazion
2. 43191 bringing up the rear, as 2C06 awaits the road west on the Marsh
3. Refurbished slide door GTi  2+ 4 set 2C06 then approaches Marazion
4. And passes the former station on the way to Penzance

Picture 1 16th December 2019, Copyright Andrew Triggs

Picture 2 16th December 2019. Copyright Andrew Triggs.

Picture 3 16th December 2019. Copyright Andrew Triggs.

Picture 4 16th December 2019, Copyright Andrew Triggs.

Langstone Rock
Paul Barlow

43098 and 43153 power the 06.35 Manchester to Newquay 1V21/ Seen here passing Langstone rock on the 14th August 2004 Copyright Paul Barlow/ The bright red of the Virgin Livery comes out very nicely in contrast with the otherwise dry scene.

This is the last of the current series of pictures from Paul Barlow - Many thanks Paul,  More to come?